Wake Turbulence, Low Altitude Contributed to Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report last week on the cause of the tragic accident at the 2007 Reno National Championship Air Races that brought down an Aero Vodochody L-39C, fatally injuring the pilot.

As reported by ANN, pilot Bradley Morehouse, 47, was killed when he lost control of his L-39 after passing pylon eight in the course.

Videos of the accident showed the L-39 immediately behind the race leader in a Rockwell T-2B Buckeye. As both aircraft rounded the pylon, Morehouse's L-39 was witnessed banking to the left then banking to the right through an inverted position while descending. The aircraft impacted the ground in an upright, nose low attitude.

The NTSB concluded Morehouse encountered wake turbulence from the aircraft in front of him, and was unable to recover in the limited time afforded due to his low altitude. Quoting the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, the report noted the resulting vortices from the wake of a larger aircraft can impose rolling moments exceeding the roll-control authority of the encountering aircraft.

According to the NTSB report Morehouse attended the Reno Pylon Racing Seminar in 2006, and he had competed in the jet races in 2006 and 2007. According to the check pilot, he flew well during the racing seminar and no problems were noted.

Additionally, the Director of Flight Operations for the Jet Class indicated that all pilots are given training in wake turbulence avoidance procedures during the Reno Pylon Racing Seminar.

FMI: Read The NTSB Report, www.airrace.org